Get down on the farm, enjoy the idyllic island life, smile at the crocodiles, snorkel the Whitsundays, dive the Great Barrier Reef, and then dance the night away in Cairns. This extravaganza shows you all that 'Down Under' has to offer!

Itinerary

01

Day 1: Cairns

Meet your Contiki crew then we’re off on an optional day trip to experience the Great Barrier Reef or free time to explore Cairns. Put on your snorkel gear or try an optional introduction to scuba diving and check out colourful fish, turtles, vivid coral and the incredible clear waters.,,For your first night with the group in this city, there’s a chance to head down to a local hot-spot for dinner and the chance to try Kangaroo.

02

Day 2: Cairns

Wake in tropical Cairns. Today is a free day for you to do as you please. You Trip Manager will be able to arrange Bungy Jumping, White Water Rafting or both for those adrenaline junkies. Later, take a cooling swim in the esplanade back in Cairns or sit down with a coffee and people watch. Tonight is a great chance to walk around the buzzing night markets! It’s the perfect place for shopping and with everything from fun, kitsch treasures to local crafts like boomerangs and didgeridoos. There’s something for everyone.

03

Day 3-4: Cairns to Whitsundays Sailing

Relax on the coach as we cruise past thick, tropical rainforests into Tully, home to some of Australia’s best whitewater rafting. Slowly leaving the tropics behind us, we hit Townsville for some free time. Check out the colonial buildings and get a feel for its maritime past as we drive along the esplanade and into town where you can grab some lunch.,,See vistas over Magnetic Island, a National Park and bird sanctuary, before we continue our travels south to Airlie Beach, gateway to the Whitsundays Islands and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park to board our sailing yacht.,,Enjoy two days and nights sailing the stunning Whitsunday islands with your friends. Swim, snorkel, or laze your way around the 74 islands of this tropical paradise, where you will pass lush tropical islands, laze on the world's best beaches and personally meet an extravagant array of sea life. You can help the crew & learn how to grind the winches & hoist the sails, or just relax and top up your tan in the sun.,,Please note: Accommodation on board the yacht is multishare only.

04

Day 5: The Whitsundays to Farmstay

Today, plug in your ipod or chat with friends as we drive through scenic Mackay, with countryside full of vibrant green vegetation and sugar cane plantations. Continue down the Capricorn Coast and head inland to an authentic country homestead, right in the heart of Queensland’s cattle country, for our overnight stay.,,During our time at The Old Station, a working cattle station, you’ll experience a taste of real Aussie country life. The owners will show you around the enormous property in a behind-the-scenes look at daily life on the farm.,,Taste local hospitality tonight as your welcoming hosts pile your table high with a hearty roast beef and vegetables (like you've never tasted before) followed by an indulgent homemade decadent dessert.,,Later, have a go at whip cracking an authentic leather stock whip under night lights before heading back inside for traditional Aussie bush dancing. Have some fun and a giggle with some evening karaoke. See if you can spot the 'Southern Cross' amongst a chandelier of stars, a constellation only visible in the southern hemisphere & featured on the Australian flag.

05

Day 6: Farmstay to Noosa

After breakfast we drive back out to the coast and travel towards the beautiful beach side town of Noosa. Along the way we stop at a small town called Childers where we get the chance to enjoy some exotic fruits and do some wine tasting and learn about the local wines.

06

Day 7: Fraser Island to Noosa

Experience a slice of paradise on Fraser Island this morning. This UNESCO World Heritage-listed site is the largest sand island in the world and is 800,000 years old. Packed with around 40 fresh-water lakes, lush rainforests and diverse wildlife, Fraser Island lives up to its amazing reputation.,,Jump on our included 4WD adventure through the island’s sand dunes, rainforests & freshwater lakes. Our Local Guide will show you some of the island’s best spots and hidden treasures, such as Lake McKenzie – make sure you keep your camera handy – this is one of Australia’s most beautiful regions.,,Enjoy a drink or two with the included dinner tonight at the local surf club. Later if you want to take it up a level, head out into the town & explore Noosa by night.

07

Day 8: Noosa to Surfers Paradise

There’s time to explore Noosa this morning so take a stroll through the shops and the National Park or sunbathe and swim at the beach before we make our way south. We also stop off in Brisbane today. You’ll get a feel for the capital of Queensland’s laid-back atmosphere when we have a look around town.,,Tonight we pull into legendary Surfers Paradise, the Gold Coast’s party hot spot and home to some of the best surfing beaches in the world.,,Grab some of your new friends and join the party atmosphere of Surfers tonight with included nightclub entry. With loads of restaurants and buzzing nightlife, there’s something for everybody. Head to the happening Orchid or Cavill Avenues, where clubs and bars line the street or shoot some pool at the pub.

08

Day 9: Surfers Paradise

How about last night…Today is all about chilling, hitting the beach, and getting a little R’n’R after the night before. We’re nice like that. But remember, you’re not in Surfer’s forever, so do this thing right – don’t stay in bed when there's skydiving on offer.

09

Day 10: Surfers Paradise

Your trip ends after breakfast and it’s time to say goodbye to your Contiki crew and friends.

9 nights multi-share accommodation: 5 nights in resorts, 2 nights on a yacht, 1 night in an eco-lodge, 1 night at a cattle station lodge

Modern, air-conditioned coach with powerpoints for charging

Food

14 meals:

9 breakfasts

1 lunch

4 dinners

Staff

An experienced and professional Trip Manager & Driver team

Sightseeing tours of all major cities

National Park fees, local taxes & service charges

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Tour Highlights:

Cairns to Whitsundays Sailing: Pass through Tully, home to Australia's best whitewater rafting,Pass Hinchinbrook Island - Australia's largest island national park,See Magnetic Island,Townsville city orientation,Relax on the famous white sands of Whitehaven Beach

The Whitsundays to Farmstay: Visit the main region of Australia's sugar cane industry,Visit & cross the Tropic of Capricorn,Meet the cattle station owners,Check out the farm & animals on a hay wagon ride, then try whip cracking!,Wake up to a bacon & egg breakfast,Aussie Outback experience: The Old Station Special Stopover

Fraser Island to Noosa: Take a locally guided 4WD trip across Fraser Island & indulge in a delicious lunch,Drive along Australia's only sand highway,Dine beachside at Noosa Surf Club

Noosa to Surfers Paradise: See the Brisbane River, South Bank & visit Queen Street Mall,Stay at a resort located right by the beach,Nightclub entry

Surfers Paradise: Relax on some of Australia's most famous beaches on the Gold Coast

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